Reborn As Noble
Chapter 611 - 611: Gate of Shadows ( 611 )

Javier was riding on Buddy's back, wind rushing past his face as the giant bird dashed through the rugged terrain. In the distance, the towering black-stone walls of the Dwarven Kingdom's capital loomed ever closer.

"Buddy… we're not far now," he muttered under his breath.

Cuquawked.

Buddy responded with a sharp cry, his pace never faltering.

As they moved, Javier's expression turned serious. The weight of his mission pressed on his mind—Garius's final instructions echoing clearly.

"Kill if you have to. If the Celestial inside Gumarak goes berserk, and you're left with no choice—end him."

"Or, capture and drag him to the Beastkin Kingdom border. Our shadow unit will take over from there."

"Remember, Javier—kill only if you have no other option."

His hands tightened slightly on Buddy's reins.

"You'll either face heavy resistance… or none at all. Complete your mission under your own judgment."

Javier exhaled slowly.

"I get it, old man…" he muttered. "I'll finish this. My way."

He raised his gaze again—eyes locked on the fortified gate ahead.

"Let's end this clean… if we can."

Javier signaled Buddy to stop with a slight tug. The great Pekko halted right in front of the towering black iron gates of the dwarven capital.

The air was tense.

Dozens of dwarven soldiers lined the high walls, their weapons drawn, eyes locked onto the lone rider clad in unfamiliar armor—a samurai silhouette with a horned oni mask concealing his identity.

From above came the shout:

"Halt!! State your business!"

Javier didn't flinch. He remained seated on Buddy, back straight, voice calm and low.

"Hmm? Didn't one of your commanders already arrive ahead of me?" he said, tapping the side of his mask with a gloved finger. "With ten food caravans… and soldiers bearing an unfamiliar black banner with a golden emblem?"

The dwarven guards fell silent. Uneasy glances were exchanged.

"Didn't he hand you a sealed letter from me—addressed to Chieftain Gumarak?"

The dwarves raised their weapons in sync, lining the battlements with bows, axes, and polearms, targeting Javier without hesitation.

Above them, the puppet knights standing shoulder to shoulder with the dwarves suddenly activated.

[Initiating defense protocol.]

The silver-armored mithril knights shifted position. Their crossbows locked onto the dwarves.

The adamantite knights lowered their massive shields.

The Knights lifted their arms—swords drawn, magic cores humming.

Javier remained calm.

"Standby mode," he said coldly.

[Command acknowledged. Switching to standby.]

Javier's voice echoed through the field—calm but firm.

"Open the gate. I'm not here to fight dwarves. I'm here for one thing."

He pointed directly toward the capital with his finger.

"Gumarak."

The wind blew cold across the standoff.

Javier remained atop Buddy, his oni mask casting a menacing shadow across his face. His voice echoed loud and clear.

"I don't care if he's your leader. I'm here for a mission."

His eyes narrowed behind the mask.

"You all know the truth. You don't have the strength to fight me or my troops."

He raised his hand again, and the subtle hum of magical energy rippled from the puppet knights above. Their weapons didn't move—but the air around them grew heavy with pressure.

"So open the gate and surrender peacefully," Javier said slowly. "And no one gets hurt."

The silence from the wall was deafening.

"This is your last and final warning. Open… or I force it open."

His fingers curled slightly.

From above, the knights' eyes began to glow.

[Standby terminated. Awaiting engagement protocol.]

The dwarven guards, now visibly shaken, exchanged glances again—some biting their lips, others hesitating with trembling grips on their weapons.

One of them called down, voice cracking:

"W-We… we'll inform the chieftain!"

"Do it," Javier replied.

One of the dwarven commanders bolted down the inner pathway, boots slamming against the stone as he dashed through the fortress streets.

"Shit, shit, shit—"

He shoved past other dwarves in the market and corridors, ignoring their surprised yells. The oni-masked human—the one the last commander spoke of in hushed terror—he was real. And he was now at their gate.

"That man crushed 120,000 halflings like they were ants…"

"We're starving. Our rations ran out last week. Morale is rock bottom… and now he's here."

The massive stone city loomed over him, narrow alleys and defensive lanes slowing his sprint as he crossed bridges and zigzagged through inner checkpoints.

"Why did the chieftain ignore the warning letter!? Damn it—!!"

He finally reached the inner gate of the royal palace, heavily guarded by elite dwarven units.

"Open the gate! I have urgent news for the chieftain!!" he barked.

The guards, startled by his breathless panic, hesitated for a moment.

"It's him!" he shouted. "The oni-masked one! The one who commands puppet knights—he's at the main gate!!"

The dwarven elites exchanged stunned looks.

Then one of them turned, opened the inner door, and rushed to inform the chieftain immediately.

The commander leaned against the wall, panting hard.

"Crap… I don't want to die today…" he muttered again, sweat trailing down his temple.

"We've held this place for so long… through starvation, exhaustion… and now a monster like him shows up?"

He clenched his jaw.

"I just hope the chieftain listens this time."

"Chieftain is in the war room. You may go in."

Without waiting another second, the dwarven officer sprinted down the hallway, boots echoing against the stone floor as he rushed past the guards.

He threw open the heavy war room doors.

"Chieftain!! We have bad news!!"

Inside, Gumarak sat silently on his stone chair, gaze fixed on the floor. His fingers were clenched tightly against the carved armrest.

In his mind, the decision had already been made.

"So… there's no way out."

"If I choose to fight… more of my people will die."

He raised his eyes slowly and met the stares of his gathered generals and commanders.

Then, calmly, he turned toward the breathless officer.

"Let him through. Open the gate. Tell him to come straight to this chamber."

The war room stirred with protest.

"But Chieftain!!" the dwarven officer shouted. "The others still want to resist! If you surrender now, who will lead us? What will happen to our pride—our kingdom?"

Gumarak's voice was low but firm.

"If we fight now, we only bring more death. And I… I don't want that happen."

"Tell Garius's son to come. I will face him directly."

( End Of Chapter )